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Student Loans & College

What education debt costs and what the federal protections attached to it are worth. Refinancing to a lower rate is a genuine saving and an irreversible surrender of income-driven repayment, forbearance, and forgiveness, which makes it a decision about optionality rather than about interest.

December 5, 2025 · 7 min read

Refinancing $48,000 of Federal Loans Saves $5,473 and Costs You Every Protection

Moving from 6.8% to 4.9% lowers the payment by $45.61 a month. It also permanently surrenders income-driven repayment, forbearance, and forgiveness, which is a large price for a modest saving.

Calculators for student loans & college

Student Loan CalculatorEstimate student-loan payments and see how extra payments shorten the term and cut interest.College Cost CalculatorProject the future cost of college and whether your savings plan will cover it.

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